Functionalized graphene oxide gives liquid crystal actuator record toughness at body temperature

Researchers at Peking University, Jiangxi Normal University, the University of Science and Technology Beijing, and the University of Bristol have developed a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) actuator reinforced with thiol-functionalized graphene oxide (FGO) that combines high mechanical toughness with an activation temperature close to human body temperature, addressing a longstanding tradeoff in soft robotics materials.

Illustration of the graphene oxide-reinforced liquid crystal elastomer actuator, showing its near-body-temperature activation and high fracture toughness.

Liquid crystal elastomers are widely studied for soft actuators and artificial muscles because they can undergo large, reversible, programmable deformations in response to heat, light, or other stimuli, and graphene oxide fillers have previously been used to boost their toughness through strong π-π interactions with the liquid crystal phase. But conventional LCEs face a persistent conflict: actuators tough enough for demanding, high-load robotic applications typically require activation temperatures above 100°C, which is impractical and potentially unsafe for devices meant to interact directly with the human body, while LCEs engineered for near-body-temperature activation have generally lacked the mechanical robustness for real-world use.

Illustration of the graphene oxide-reinforced liquid crystal elastomer actuator, showing its near-body-temperature activation and high fracture toughness.Liquid crystal elastomers are widely studied for soft actuators and artificial muscles because they can undergo large, reversible, programmable deformations in response to heat, light, or other stimuli, and graphene oxide fillers have previously been used to boost their toughness through strong π-π interactions with the liquid crystal phase. But conventional LCEs face a persistent conflict: actuators tough enough for demanding, high-load robotic applications typically require activation temperatures above 100°C, which is impractical and potentially unsafe for devices meant to interact directly with the human body, while LCEs engineered for near-body-temperature activation have generally lacked the mechanical robustness for real-world use.

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